Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-11-19
MARRIAGES OF CLERKS.
Discussions Raised by tise T.uling 0i
the Postmasfer.Seneral.

The generosity OF Postnaster-General Villas in
permitting couple OF his clerks to marry without
losing their Government positions has occa-
stoned good deal OF comment and gossip in all the
Departments. Those who think of marryingin the
service are doubtless making their calculations
and wondering how they would fare under SINH
lar circumstances. They keep their thoughts to
themselves for all Department courtships are con-
Quoted on the quiet, and the marriages are gener-
ally surprises the resignation OF the lady being
usually the first public intimatiOn that cupid has
completed his work. Tlose who have resigned
doubtless regret that they did not make an APP
peal TO the hearts OF their respective Secretaries
before retiring to private AMI married life
secretary Lamar, In the light of recent events,
ought to have been particularly generous in inter-
preung .ne law; LUIS not py any meanseertain that
General would look at such matters in as kindly
spirit as he showed, and 1t is question IN the
minds OF many IL such action was within the letter
OF the clvil-service law.
TIE ALL-PowRRFrL PERSUASIVE MEASURES.
A prominent official In one OF the uptown De-
partments said: at was a bit OF impulsive sent1-
mentality on the part of the Postmaster-General
that is likely, II taken az precedent to cause no
end OF complications 10 the Department service
OF course It was very considerable on his part, and
u would be difficult TO refuse such request made
10 person by pretty. modest young lady. with
deprecatfng air and bedimmed eyes. take II for
granted that such were the all-powerfu persuasive
measures adopted In this case. II is fortunate for
the petitioner The line must be drawn some
where, for II such practices should become COM
mon there would be trouble"
THE PRACTICE AND THE LAW.
From inquiries made in the different Depart
ments by STAB reporter, it could not be ascer-
tained that an instance similar in results has
ever occurred In the Government service. Occa-
stonally both husband and wife have retained
their clerical positions but only by carefully con-
cealing their real relations to each other. Ac-
IN
Postmaster General avoided any difficulties that
might arse by accepting the resi- nation Of q
advantage OF the appointing power conceded him
paragraph 5 rule 10. OF the civilservice rules,
which reads: "Any person appointed to or EN-.
shall be dismissed or separated therefrom without
fault or delinquency on his part, may be reap
ONCE al grade Tor which no higher examination
IS required than for the position he last held,
within one year next following such
tion, on such certi1cation as the Commission may
provide" The words separation" without fault
or S "o"a aoaotess apply TO tne case
that might be raised by civil service srfckers
againt the Postmaster Generals impulsive gener-
oSty although no one would be cold hearted enough
to draw the lines very closely In this case. In the
first place 1t Is not known that the Civil-Service
Commission prescribed any certifcation as re-
Qured by the conclusion OF the paragraph. Not
understanding the use OF the word employed" in
addition to appointed in the rule quoted many
wise affect employees VINO occupied their official
position before tie civil-service law was passed,
and Is applicable only 10 those who have received
their appointments under the civil-service rules.
RELATIVES IN OFFICE.
Another point that Is raised by persons in COM
menung upon this case is in regard to the clause
prohibiting members OF the same family from hold
ing Government clerkships 1t is little difficult
TO draw The family line according to rule. Secre-
tary Lincoln always held that the restriction In
nOnnA Inn mi rOfo rP0A tvrsp a a
members Of a ramily-father, mother, brothers
and sisters, and such ruling would include
the newly red eSgp xo Az sRon Of
ever, that the prohibition Is not as rigid
as Is generally supposed, and is rather
section 9 OF the civilservlce rules provides 'that
whenever there are already two or more members
OF family In public service In the grades covered
by this act, no other member Of such family shall
be eligible TO appointment to any OF said grades"
According TO this, IL is certain that when three Of
family arc in o!tce fourth cannot be appointed,
pointed. In case there Is only one. however, IL Is
Inferred that there is no authority TO appoint
second.
CASE IN THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
Not q great while ago Secretary whitney, 1t will
be remembered made 4 decision in striking con-
trast TO the Postmastcr-General's.'a although the
circumstances were quite different. young lady
employe OF the Navy Department was married TO
an emplOye OF another Department about the Goth
u L
time OF the marriage. TO take effect at The end OF
thirty days leave due her. Probably there would
nave been no hitch had the bride elect not renea,-
bered Secretary whitney In sending out the we'd
ding invitations. His attention was attracted by
the invitation TO the circumstances, and he al once
decided that the young lady was not entitled to
the leave, and so far as receiving salary was con-
cerned her connection with the Department
was , severed at the date Of her marriage
Miss - TO sign the pay roll, ard as a result
she lost about eleven days pay IN the month OF
N NAY W. iO1 Sns c1ao OILY reGepI l0r pay 70 the ate
the Secretary Of the Navy and the Postmaster-
General could not have both been right on techni-
cal points In these decisions. The Navy Depart
ment clerk was considered another person AFTER
marriage, while the Pos:-Of1ce clerk was the same
after marriage, else there could have been no re-
appointment.
A PERPLExrNG CASE.
In speaking OF the matter to THE STAR man
Department clerk recalled an instance which
might have nonplussed the authorities had the
case come before them for decision. A young
one OF the Departments, was married, but re-
manned IN 0ff1ce. Her changed life did not change
her name. however for she rnarr.ed man WHO
was also named Smith, and no difficulty was eype-
rienced in keeping the Department Officials in
ignorance OF the matter. But TIE STARS inform
ant was anxious TO know II she would nave been
entitled to sign the payroll after marriage. She
was another Smith, but her name was not changed.
Department officials generally DO not think that
man ana Wife will both be carried on the pay-rols
any length OF time. 1t Is only the precedent that
they object to.
CASES IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS
The only case In any way similar to those men.
toned that ever occurred in the War Department
was that Of a copyist, who was the wife OF Sig
nal Service man in clerical duty. Their relation
was not known for some time, but when il was
discovered the lady was required to hand in her
resignation. 1t was about the time reductions
were being made in the Departments, so that TO
attention was attracted TO the case. In the De-
partment Of Justice, during Accomplishment
Brewsters term, there was a married lady en-
ployed, although 1t is not known that her husband
was in Government employ. She frankly stated TO
the Attorney General her crcum stances in order
that he might determine whether she was entitled
to remain In the Department or not. AS she Was
an exceptionally good clerk the Acknowledgement
as frankly told her that he SAW no reason why the
Department should be deprived OF her services
simply because she had husband. As a general
thing, the cases which are brought to the atten-
tion OF the Cabinet officers for their decision be-
cause OF marital relations, are extremely rare
Tho relations frequent enough, perhaps. but
care is taken that tie authorities are not too
well informed about them.
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Church i'm a Dilemma,
FKUrTIsss EFPoRr TO STOP ONE OF TIE MEMBERS
FROM TALKING.
The De Witt Memorial church in Rivinvton